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Monday, August 24, 2009

Matsuri


Quite similar to how we Filipino celebrate fiestas, the Japanese also observe various matsuri or festivals, in honor of a local shrine or temple. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer or early autumn.


I haven't actually witnessed an actual celebration and I thought I again missed one yesterday. I was just on my way to the neighborhood Filipino restaurant when I passed by groups of people in traditional japanese robes, most of them drinking beer.


But it turned out they were just resting. Soon, they were up on their feet, and moved forward in a procession. A team lifted the mikoshi (a portable shinto shrine) on their shoulders and moved and swayed to a beat not so unlike the "hala bira" of the ati-atihan. I was told they were to go around the community before returning to the temple.

6 comments:

pamatayhomesick said...

parang fiesta nga rin,marami din bang handa tuwing may matsuri?

escape said...

that;s interesting. i believe the japanese do have some of the weirdest festivals too.

BlogusVox said...

Nakakatuwa naman talaga kung ano ang sine-celebrate ng mga hapon. I read they even celebrate the penis as a fertility symbols. Ang nakakatuwa yung mga babae me hawak hawak na malalaking titi. Almost similar to our women holding the Sto.Nino statue.

mhel said...

So great to see the overwhelming pictures. I want to go to Japan! :)

Abaniko said...

don't they have sexy twirlers?

Xprosaic said...

Akalain mo yun para ring fiesta dito... kahit iba kanilang religion may similarity din pala sa traditions... jejejejjejeje